(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD ~11/13 - 6/14~

[TLMcMarks]

I just spoke with a CM and he was adamant that the pool would not be closed for refurb during our dates. He said the only thing he saw was that CM's would be switching out linens & room updates. He went on to say that they would know in advance if it was a pool closure, especially during hot weather months. He convinced me not to switch resorts. Now I'm scared, confused & nervous :}

I also called WL and was assured the same. Our dates are 9/1/14-9/7/14. What are y'all's?

 

[Pooh and Piglet]

I've been trying to see what the current status is based on info in the thread, and as best I can see the waterfall is still dry with work continuing. Has anyone heard when this part is supposed to be done yet? I called what was supposedly guest services for WL directly the other day to get more information and was told that there was no such work going on, even after I pointed out that people have related that it is, so I guess those of you who have been there are hallucinating!

We are supposed to arrive on 6/16 also for a four night stay as part of a POR-R/WL/GF split and are very disappointed about the possibility of this resort feature being down, especially with no official words about it.

Thanks for all of the good scoop!

 

[mcconnellfam96]

I couldn't find any pool-related permits filed with the Comptroller. These were the only active permits I found: ~Main Transportation Dock Shelter Pilasters ~Cooling Towers - Electrical This cryptically titled permit involves WDImagineering and is entitled "Wilderness Lodge Take Me Fishing". I would love to know more about this. http://s621.photobucket.com/user/WDWKOOK/media/WL 2014/85ceed25-929f-45d2-bae0-b48b5baba6eb.png.html An expiration date isn't listed, so it's hard to tell when the work might start/end. Without an expiration, the permit is valid a year from recording, which would be 1/10/15.

I found this info related to the Take Me Fishing program.....

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/fishing/

The permit must some how be related??

 

[mcconnellfam96]

Saw this announcement and wondered what everyone thinks... Guests at Port Orleans Resorts may skip check-in According to the Port Orleans News and Rumors site, the resorts will be testing a new option for guests checking in between June 16 and June 28. The test will allow guests to completely skip the front desk and go straight to their room instead. Before their arrival, guests will receive a text message or email letting them know the room assignment and they can then use their MagicBands to unlock the hotel room door. For guests to be eligible for the test, they must be using My Disney Experience and have their profile completed, as well as have received their MagicBands in the mail, have done Online Check-In, set up an account PIN number and paid their balance in full. Once Online Check-In is complete, the MagicBands are active and can be used for park tickets, FastPasses, dining plan credits, etc. This is not a mandatory test, so anyone who needs help upon check-in can just go to the front desk and check in like normal. Other resorts may be participating in the test as well. Because this is just a test, it will not necessarily continue into a full launch property-wide. ~Leah Zanolla | Posted: Jun 6, 2014 | wdwinfo.com

We rather enjoy our personal welcome and interactions with the CMs on our arrival days. Hopefully, in-person check in will always remain an option!

 

[DisMom829]

I also called WL and was assured the same. Our dates are 9/1/14-9/7/14. What are y'all's?

Aug 31- Sep 6

 

[fla4fun]

We rather enjoy our personal welcome and interactions with the CMs on our arrival days. Hopefully, in-person check in will always remain an option!

I don't mind the interaction with the CMs, but I like the idea of having the option. For example, my trip later this month I am checking in after working all day. I just found out that I will probably have to work late that day due to some new hires in another department who won't be getting our work over to us in a timely manner (not their fault - first day, training, etc.). So now I am planning to take a lunch break, which I don't typically do, just to drive down, check in, and dump the luggage, and come back to work - so when I do actually get off work, I can just go to the room. I've had to do this once or twice before, and it's kind of inconvenient. It would be nice if I knew the room and could just bypass the front desk for this particular trip.

Options are always good

 

[Scarlett81]

We rather enjoy our personal welcome and interactions with the CMs on our arrival days. Hopefully, in-person check in will always remain an option!

We enjoy check in process as well, pins for a special occasion, coloring books for kids..I like the idea of going straight to the room for the rare time we've had a tough or early flight, someone isn't feeling well etc.
The only thing that would keep me from doing it is if I don't like the particular room we are assigned to, I'd have to go downstairs and request changes anyway.

 

[WildMouser]

Hi-

Sorry if this has been covered before...searched in past posts but didn't find similar topic.

How close is the club level at the WL to the pool? If say you wanted a beverage or snack to take to the pool.

Thanks!

 

[fla4fun]

Hi-

Sorry if this has been covered before...searched in past posts but didn't find similar topic.

How close is the club level at the WL to the pool? If say you wanted a beverage or snack to take to the pool.

Thanks!

CL - top floor
pool - ground floor

A quick elevator ride is all it would be, but I would plan on stopping on the way to the pool instead of planning on going back and forth.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hot off the Photobucket presses!

Here are some stream/WL Courtyard photos I uploaded for hstrickland. She took them this morning - thank you, Heather!

According to TheLodgeLady, the current stream rehab completion estimate is sometime the first week of July.










​

 

[EmmaMagsMom]

Hot off the Photobucket presses! Here are some stream/WL Courtyard photos I uploaded for hstrickland. She took them this morning - thank you, Heather! http://s621.photobucket.com/user/WDWKOOK/media/WL 2014/20140608_081222.jpg.html http://s621.photobucket.com/user/WDWKOOK/media/WL 2014/20140608_081140.jpg.html http://s621.photobucket.com/user/WDWKOOK/media/WL 2014/20140608_081119copy.jpg.html http://s621.photobucket.com/user/WDWKOOK/media/WL 2014/20140608_081239.jpg.html http://s621.photobucket.com/user/WDWKOOK/media/WL 2014/20140608_081216copy.jpg.html

Thanks Kook for keeping us all up to date. We usually take our DD's every year at Halloween, but are doing an adult only trip in Oct before our cruise. We love the pool so I'm glad we aren't taking the kids this year. It will be glorious when we return with them next year.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Oh no Kook!

I would be so sad if I was booked courtyard view.

 

[fla4fun]

My request for an enclosed balcony is sounding very good about now, lol! Couldn't they at least paint the scrims so they aren't so ugly, like they do in the parks?

 

[patty57]

That really ruins the beauty of the exterior.

 

[digiMom]

Hot off the Photobucket presses! Here are some stream/WL Courtyard photos I uploaded for hstrickland. She took them this morning - thank you, Heather! According to TheLodgeLady, the current stream rehab completion estimate is sometime the first week of July. http://s621.photobucket.com/user/WDWKOOK/media/WL 2014/20140608_081222.jpg.html http://s621.photobucket.com/user/WDWKOOK/media/WL 2014/20140608_081140.jpg.html http://s621.photobucket.com/user/WDWKOOK/media/WL 2014/20140608_081119copy.jpg.html http://s621.photobucket.com/user/WDWKOOK/media/WL 2014/20140608_081239.jpg.html http://s621.photobucket.com/user/WDWKOOK/media/WL 2014/20140608_081216copy.jpg.html

Oh, my! How long is the work expected to go on? We're going 3rd week in August and staying in a studio over at DVC, but it really breaks the woodsy, natural feel, doesn't it?

 

[WildMouser]

CL - top floor
pool - ground floor

A quick elevator ride is all it would be, but I would plan on stopping on the way to the pool instead of planning on going back and forth.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Scarlett81]

Wow.
There is my courtyard view next week....

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thank you Heather for taking the pictures and thank you Kook for posting them here. That is some major work being done.

 

[mslhb]

Wow.
There is my courtyard view next week....

Just got back. Construction was definitely worse then I expected. We stayed club level and had requested an inner courtyard view. The check-in lady even made a comment about "Your requested courtyard view isn't ready yet but we will make sure you get it!" If I would have know we would have tried a woods view for the 1st time. We ended up with 7047 in the North Wing. I actually prefer the courtyard view on the south wing but with the construction I think the north wing was probably better. You were looking straight at the scrim vs. looking down/behind the ugliness. Overall it isn't horrid. We just found ourselves not walking that waterfall path like we normally do. If you are staying non club level I would request a room at the ends of the wings toward bay lake. That way you are looking out more onto the pool vs. the waterfall area.

 

[Karebear]

I also called WL and was assured the same. Our dates are 9/1/14-9/7/14. What are y'all's?

Our dates are 9/1/14 to 9/7/14 too. I want to switch because my kids will not be happy if the main pool is closed. My husband wants to keep the reservation and even says that he will not go if he can't stay at the WL--not sure what we are going to do!